Kodiak AI Lands First Commercial Deal to Deploy 75 Driverless Trucks on Public Highways by 2028

Kodiak AI Secures Landmark Commercial Deal for Driverless Trucks

Kodiak AI has landed its first binding commercial deal to supply 75 self-driving trucks to DTL Transport, marking a significant milestone for autonomous trucking technology on public highways1

1

. The California-based freight company plans to integrate the driverless trucks into its fleet starting in 2028, deploying them on multiple interstate routes including Dallas to El Paso, Texas, and Interstate 20 between Dallas and Atlanta2

2

. This represents the first commitment by an interstate trucking company to integrate autonomous trucks into its commercial fleet for public highway operations2

2

.

Strategic Shift to Driver-as-a-Service Model

The DTL Transport partnership signals Kodiak AI's strategic pivot toward becoming an asset-light technology supplier through its Driver-as-a-Service model1

1

. Under this arrangement, DTL will own and operate the trucks while Kodiak licenses its Kodiak Driver technology, charging customers by the mile for the duration of the contract1

1

. This approach differs from Kodiak's current Trucking-as-a-Service operations, where the company owns and operates self-driving trucks as a third-party carrier for customers including Charger USA, Roehl Transport, and Werner Enterprises1

1

. "We don't want to be in the business of running a trucking company," Kodiak founder and CEO Don Burnette explained, emphasizing the company's goal to license AI software rather than manage truck fleets1

1

.

Proven Technology Through Pilot Programs

The commercial deal builds on a successful pilot program conducted last month in California, where Kodiak autonomously hauled perishable goods for DTL Transport across approximately 225 miles along Interstate 5 and California State Route 99 between Fresno and Los Angeles1

1

. DTL Transport, a mid-market trucking company that hauls fresh produce and goods to grocery chains, demonstrated the practical application of autonomous trucking technology in the supply chain1

1

. Kodiak has already conducted extensive testing and operations on the Dallas-El Paso and Dallas-Atlanta routes where DTL plans to deploy the driverless highway service1

1

.

Revenue Projections and Market Impact

While Kodiak didn't disclose the specific value of the DTL Transport deal, the company's 2025 investor presentation provides insight into potential recurring revenue1

1

. Kodiak forecast annual recurring revenue of $150,000 to $190,000 per truck, based on a per-mile licensing fee of approximately $0.97 and annual mileage of about 225,000 miles per truck1

1

. Using these projections, the 75-truck deal could generate at least $11.2 million in annual recurring revenue once fully deployed1

1

. This revenue boost comes at a critical time for Kodiak, which went public in September 2025 and has seen its shares fall 87% from their opening-day price1

1

.

Expanding Physical AI Across Industries

Kodiak AI's autonomous trucking technology is already operating commercially beyond public highways. Atlas Energy Solutions has been a Driver-as-a-Service customer since 2024, currently operating 35 driverless trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver system in off-road settings in West Texas' remote Permian Basin1

1

. Kodiak is on track to expand this fleet to as many as 100 trucks by mid-20271

1

. "This represents a major new chapter in the central role Physical AI now plays in strengthening the U.S. supply chain," Burnette stated2

2

. The company is also preparing to remove human safety operators from truck cabs in December to begin operating a driverless highway service carrying goods for Ikea on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston1

1

.

Why Mid-Market Carriers Matter for Autonomous Adoption

Burnette highlighted the strategic advantage of partnering with mid-market carriers like DTL Transport, noting their ability to execute quickly compared to larger trucking operations1

1

. "They are able to move with fast execution speed, much more at the speed of a startup or a small company or a tech company like Kodiak," he explained1

1

. DTL president and CEO Lucky Dosanjh emphasized that integrating autonomous technology will "expand capacity, enhance safety and drive innovation forward" while complementing the company's experienced workforce2

2

. This partnership approach could accelerate adoption of self-driving trucks across the freight industry, particularly as companies seek solutions to driver shortages and rising operational costs on public highways.